Float



Aug. 5 1924. 1,503,624

C. W. BAUMA'N ET AL FLOAT Filed Sept. 29, 1923 Clay-lea WBauman PatentedAug. 5, 1924.

, UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICJE.

, CHARLES W. BAUMAN AND FRANK GRUBER, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO.

FLOAT.

Application filed September 29, 1923. Serial No. 665,520.

TodZZ whom itmag concern:

Be it known that we, CHARLES W. BAU- MAN and FRANK GRUBER, citizens ofthe i, United States, residing at Columbus, in the county of Franklinand State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improve ments inFloats, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention is directed to improvements in floats for usebyswimmers or beginners.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a floatof this natureso constructed that it will sustain a person in the Water and can bepropelled so the person using the same can move from place to place.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of thischaracter so constructed that it can be folded into compact form fortransportation or storage, the construction being such that when in usethe liability of the device becoming detached from the person using thesame is positively eliminated.

A still further object of the invention is to provide additionalpontoons which can be attached to the device to increase the buoyancythereof should it be desired.

With these and other objects inview, as will appear as the descriptionproceeds, the invention consists in the novel features of construction,combinations of elements and arrangements of parts, and hereinafter tobe fully described and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the device.

Figure 2 is a side elevation,

Figure 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view through the heads of thesections,

Figure 5 is a detail view partly in section of one of the detachablepontoons, and

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view similar to Figure 4 showing aslightly modified form of the invention.

The device consists of a substantially U shaped body 1, said body beingformed from a pair of sections 2, said sections being formed fromsuitable metal and are hollow throughout to impart thereto the desiredbuoyancy. Each section comprises a head and arm 3 and 4, respectively,the arms being divergingly arranged so that a person can convenientlyenter therebetween. The heads have their lower edges connected by hinges5 so that the sections can be folded when desired, said sections beingheld in their operative positions by hooks 6 carried by one head anddetachably engaged with eyes 7 on the adjacent head, as clearly shown inFigure 1 of the drawing.

Each arm 4 has a loop 8 fixed thereto and in which is engaged anadjustable strap 9 which serves to attach the device to a person, thestrap being arranged so as to either engage the chest or back of theuser. The arms 4 are further provided with recesses 10 in which aresecured pads 11 which add to the comfort of the user when the armpitsare resting in the recesses. A fabric sheet 12 is provided and has itscorners detachably engaged with hooks 13 carried by the float, saidfabric serving to support the chest when the user assumes a swimmingposition, and the armpits are engaged in the recesses 10. It will beobserved that when the armpits are engaged in the recesses 10 the chestwill be in such position as to rest upon the fabric sheet 12, saidrecesses also serving to prevent the arms 4 from slipping fromengagement with the armpits, as will be obvious.

The heads 4 are provided with handles 13 which can be grasped when theperson is using the legs to propel the float.

The hinges 5 have pivotally connected thereto in any suitable manner asheet metal panel 15 which is held in its vertical or operative positionby a latch 16, said latch having one end pivotally connected to one ofthe heads and its other end detachably engaged with the panel, saidpanel serving to retard lateral tilting of the float.

Should it be desired to increase the buoyancy of the float detachablepontoons 17 are provided and have their inner ends formed with sockets18 for receiving the outer ends of the arms 4, there being clampingbands 19 for holding the pontoons detachably and adjustably attached tothe arms, as clearly shown in Figure 5 of the drawing.

' In the modified form of the invention the heads 3 have their opposedfaces provided respectively with a dovetail 20 and a dovetail groove 21,there being a hollow metallic insert 22 having a dovetail 23 and adovetail groove 24 to slidably engage the respective dovetail and grooveof the heads.

llO

It will be obvious that when the insert is in position between theheads-the width of the float will be increased.

l/Vhile we have shown and described the float as formed from sections itWillbe of course understood that it can be made in one section.If'desired the heads 3 and arms 4 may be formed with bulkheads in casethe float should spring a leak sufficient compartments will remain tosustain the float. 1 I

From the foregoing it will be seen that a float has been provided whichis so 0011- struc'tedl that a person can assume a floating position orcan'upon working the legs as 'sume a. swimming position and propel thetachably connected with the panel, as and for the purpose set forth.

"2. A float of the class described comprispontoons detachabl'y andadjii'stably connected with the ends of the arms.

3. A float of the class described comprising axhol low U. shaped bodyhaving dia-v mg a body, said body consisting of a pair is of 8801310118including head and arms, and.

metrically opposed recesses in its arms, a

fabric sheet detachably connected withthe float adjacent the recessesand between the tween the upper and lower planes ofthe arms. 7 i L. Afloat ing a substantially U shaped body having diametrically opposedrecessesin its arms, and pads'en'g aged in the recesses.

In testimony whereof we afiix our sigma-- T CHARLES w. BAUMAN.FRANK-GRUBER- I tures.

of the cl'ass 'desoribedcolntpris- V 7 -35 arm's thereof, said sheetbeing disposed be-

